Before we start working together, I like to begin with a short confidential online assessment — usually 20 to 30 minutes. It might sound like a formality, but it matters: the research is clear that the better the assessment, the better the outcome of the work that follows.

It has a few straightforward purposes:

  • To get a sense of your history and what has brought you to therapy now
  • To build a shared understanding of what you are dealing with — how it started, how it affects you, and how things are overall
  • To think together about what would help, and whether therapy is the right fit for you at this point
  • And, most importantly, to see whether the two of us can work well together — because the single biggest predictor of a good outcome is a strong working relationship

It is also a chance for me to tell you more about how I work and, where it helps, to show you — so that none of it feels like a mystery. By the end, we should both feel comfortable about going ahead, and I should have a clear picture of what is bringing you to therapy.

If that is all in place, we can begin.

The assessment itself is free. After that, I’ll ask for payment at the start of your first session — by cash, bank transfer or card — and then on a session-by-session basis. One thing to note: if you need to cancel, I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice, otherwise I do have to charge for the missed session.